Hey bookworms, welcome back to Jen’s Jewels, your treasure map to the literary world! Today, we’re diving into the vibrant realm of storytelling with the incredibly talented Melissa Ferguson, the creative force behind the captivating novel, HOW TO PLOT A PAYBACK. Think of it as stumbling upon a rare gemstone in a vast treasure trove of books – mesmerizing, precious, and absolutely captivating. Join us as we uncover the intricate facets of Melissa’s storytelling, from the sparkling characters to the glamorous backdrop of Hollywood. So, grab your favorite reading nook and prepare to embark on a literary journey filled with laughter, love, and a touch of magic. Let’s delve into the treasure chest of Jen’s Jewels and discover the hidden gems awaiting us!
Jennifer Vido: Melissa, your novel presents such an intriguing dynamic between Finn Masters and Lavender Rhodes. Can you share what inspired these complex and captivating characters?
Melissa Ferguson: Thank you! Well their dynamic came out naturally as I wrote. I didn’t intend to have Finn be so Mister Rogers-y. I wanted to see him have intense payback scenes for her to do on screen but when push came to shove he just didn’t want to commit. It was too mean-spirited for him, which turned out to work gloriously, I think, because the flops on his paybacks were so perfect for their dynamic.
Jen: Did you rely on personal experiences or extensive research to develop Finn and Lavender’s backstory in England?
Melissa: I wish I had personal experience but alas, the trip was too far and big for this stage in my life and four young children at home. So instead, I did a lot of research. I read books about screenwriting and the behind-the-scenes life on Friends. I also, of course, did quite a bit of online research into England and spoke frequently with a good friend of mine who spent his life in Welling.
Jen: Lavender Rhodes is loved by everyone and always sees the bright side of things, but Finn’s view of her differs slightly. How did you make sure she stayed likable even as we saw her flaws and vulnerabilities through Finn’s eyes?
Melissa: I think this is where having a dual POV in the book was valuable. I could write a scene entirely from one person’s eyes and perspective and then in the next chapter show how the other person was able to see it entirely differently and you, as the reader, were able to see how both people could feasibly come to their completely different conclusions given the same span of time experienced together.
Jen: Revenge plots can often lead to unexpected consequences, as Finn discovers in your novel. Can you share any challenges you faced balancing comedic elements with the deeper themes of forgiveness and personal growth?
Melissa: My challenge in writing revenge in this plot turned out to be something I like most about it: Finn is terrible at paybacks. He was never doing what I wanted or planned in the scene. He was always shying away from his good heart. And I love that, but boy was that challenging to write.
Jen: The backdrop of Hollywood and the entertainment industry adds such vibrancy to the story. What aspects of this glamorous yet competitive world did you most enjoy exploring while writing the novel?
Melissa: I love watching sitcoms (in fact, it’s quite literally the only thing I watch) and naturally have a curiosity about what it is like behind the scenes. It was really interesting getting to explore that aspect, particularly for actors who work together over a span of a decade. It’s such a massive amount of time and part of their career to work on one project together and I really enjoyed the close bond my three actors on Neighbors shared. And of course, the writer’s room itself was fascinating. Absolutely fascinating. I write alone. I think it would be both such fun and such a challenge to have a dozen talented minds in a room writing out a sitcom plot every single week and perfected it under such an intense deadline!
Jen: Which character in the novel was your favorite to write, and why?
Melissa: Finn Masters, hands down. I loved the concept of a guy who has had his life blundered continuously since childhood by an oblivious woman, and now he gets to be the writer for that woman, and he has such opportunity to plot his payback. It was so fun writing his story.
Jen: As an experienced author, what draws you to romantic comedy?
Melissa: I love romantic comedies. I adore movies like You’ve Got Mail and Two Weeks Notice. I love sweet, heartwarming stories that make you laugh and end with a great bit happy bow. The world is hard and can be so heartbreaking at times and I love that I get to write stories that give people a little reminder in those hard moments of the moments we as humans have, too, of joy.
Jen: For readers who enjoy your writing, how can they stay updated on your latest releases and projects? Are you active on social media, or do you have a newsletter?
Melissa: I’d love for folks to find me on TikTok and Instagram and I do have a regular newsletter on my website. Please find me as I share about our growing farmhouse lifestyle along with my writing.
Jen: Lastly, could you give us a glimpse into your current work in progress?
Melissa: I have a book releasing next February that will be announced very soon! It’s called The Perfect Rom-Com and it’s about a girl who is a ghostwriter for one of the most famous romance writers in the country. Think a booklovers twist on Two Weeks Notice. I can’t wait to share about it on my socials and in my newsletter soon!
Jen: Thank you so much for a sneak peek into your new novel, HOW TO PLOT A PAYBACK. It’s an engaging blend of romance, comedy, and drama, and we’re excited to see what’s next!
Melissa: Thank you so much! It was lovely chatting with you!
HOW TO PLOT A PAYBACK by Melissa Ferguson
He crossed an ocean, and it still wasn’t enough to escape his lifelong nemesis. Now he has to work with her.
Successful screenwriter Finn Masters just landed his dream job writing for Neighbors, one of Hollywood’s highest-rated, longest-running sitcoms. The only downside? It will put him back in proximity of the show’s universally adored, optimistic, altruistic star, Lavender Rhodes, who has been inadvertently ruining his life since they were school chums in England. But she doesn’t even know she destroyed his acting career and wrecked his relationship with the love of his life.
He’s not about to let this woman yank yet another dream out from under his feet. In fact, he realizes he’s been given the ideal opportunity to plot his payback: spinning her character in shocking new directions.
What could go wrong? Only everything. As Finn’s not-so-brilliant plot backfires one scene after the next, catching him in the blasts, he’s forced to think about this impossible, infuriating… and maybe even lovable woman in an entirely new light.
Bestselling author Melissa Ferguson is back with a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy for the stars.
Romance Comedy [Thomas Nelson, On Sale: April 2, 2024, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780840702913 / eISBN: 9780840702999]
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About Melissa Ferguson
Melissa Ferguson is the bestselling author of titles including Meet Me in the Margins, The Dating Charade, and The Cul-de-Sac War. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and children in their growing farmhouse lifestyle and writes heartwarming romantic comedies that have been featured in such places as The Hollywood Reporter, Travel + Leisure, Woman’s World, and BuzzFeed.
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About Jennifer Vido
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry filled with southern charm and hospitality. In between chapters, she interviews authors for her bi-weekly Jen’s Jewels column on FreshFiction.com. Most mornings, she teaches an arthritis-friendly water exercise class for seniors before heading to the office to serve as the executive director of a legal non-profit. A New Jersey native, she currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two rescue dogs and is the proud parent of two sons who miss her home-cooked meals. To learn more, please visit her website.
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